Nearly half of all adults living in the United States have high blood pressure. Let that sink in. That's more than 108 million Americans! However, only one in every four have their condition under control. Known as the "silent killer," most people with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, show no signs or symptoms; therefore, don't even realize they have it.
To fully understand the effects of high blood pressure, we must first know what it is. Blood pressure is when the heart pumps blood through the arteries. The blood then puts pressure on the artery walls. The higher your blood pressure levels, the more risk you have for other health problems.
High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
• Race, especially African American heritage
• Family History
• Weight Gain
• Decreased Physical Activity
• Tobacco Use, including Chewing Tobacco
• Increased Salt in Diet
• Decreased Potassium in Diet
• Excess Alcohol
• Increased Stress
Audreen Singson, MD, practices Internal Medicine with Union Medical Group. She says measuring your blood pressure is quick, painless and can save you a lot of health trouble in the long run.
"It's important for every adult to have an annual physical exam where we would check and screen for high blood pressure," Dr. Singson said. "Uncontrolled blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke."
Other severe health complications can be caused by hypertension, including:
• Heart Attack or Failure
• Vision Loss
• Kidney Disease or Failure
• Sexual Dysfunction
There is a silver lining in all of this. High blood pressure can be prevented or managed by simply making positive lifestyle changes and taking medications if needed.
Knowledge is Power
There's only one way to know if you have high blood pressure: get it measured. This can be done by a medical professional or an at-home device.
Understanding your results is the key to controlling high blood pressure. Below is an easy-to-follow chart provided by the American Heart Association.
As with any illness, condition or disease, it is best to not self-diagnose. Talk to a health care professional about your blood pressure concerns and any proper treatment you may need.
"The plan to treat high blood pressure is tailored for each patient based on their risk factors, family history and other specific medical needs," Dr. Singson said. "A medical provider will ensure the patient receives an individualized treatment plan that works best for them."
Contact your primary care physician or schedule an appointment with Dr. Singson at 812.235.1200.